In this video, we review six claims we fact-checked in the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Video: The First Debate
Locations: National
FactChecking the First Trump-Biden Debate
In a chaotic debate with plenty of crosstalk, there was also plenty to fact-check.
Baseless Online Claims Target Biden Ahead of First Debate
Unsubstantiated posts spreading on Facebook and Twitter claim former Vice President Joe Biden “got tonight’s debate questions in advance” and that he will be wearing an earpiece. There is no evidence for either assertion.
Reviewing the Facts in Anti-Harris Ad on Accused Child Rapist
Sen. Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, urged her Twitter followers “to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota.” That appeal is now being used in an attack ad to portray her as helping to free an accused child rapist.
Preserve America PAC
Conservative super PAC using ads about law and order to support President Donald Trump.
Brad Parscale’s Suicide Threat Sparks Conspiracy Claims
Social media accounts that boost conspiracy theories make a baseless claim that the Clintons were involved in a recent incident at the home of Brad Parscale, President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager. The police report describes a domestic dispute during which Parscale threatened suicide.
Trump Has Not Been ‘Clear’ in Support of Masks
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says President Trump has been “clear” in calling for the public to “wear face coverings when you can’t social distance.” The official messaging from the White House has been clear. The president’s statements have been anything but.
Trump’s Repeated False Attacks on Mail-In Ballots
The president repeatedly sows doubt about mail-in voting, echoing what intelligence officials have said is a Russian strategy to undermine public trust in the election. We review his statements this month and recap our stories on his false, misleading and unsupported claims.
Viral Post Wrongly Ties Cost Drop to Trump’s ‘Prescription Bill’
A Facebook user claims the cost of her insulin dropped 75% thanks to “Trumps Prescription Bill.” There has been no such legislation passed, and actions by the Trump administration aimed at lowering prescription drug costs have yet to take effect.
Social Security Didn’t Stop Mailing Checks ‘Because It’s Not Secure’
A social media post claims that Social Security checks have not been sent by mail “since 2013 because it’s not secure.” The Social Security Administration required electronic payment transfers in compliance with a 1996 federal law — not due to security concerns. Even so, about 850,000 checks are still mailed each month.